Rumours concerning ITV’s Formula One coverage in 2006 are gathering apace. The broadcaster has already confirmed the departures of Jim Rosenthal and Tony Jardine, and Rosenthal’s replacement with former BBC Grandstand anchor (from the Grand Prix glory days) Steve Ryder.

Now Pitpass are suggesting that they may finally give full, uninterrupted coverage of the races by merging advertising breaks into the live coverage via a split screen. Such a move could avoid a repeat of the San Marino Grand Prix fiasco where the race’s thrilling conclusion was ruined for British fans by repeated advert break interruptions.

Here’s hoping the rumours prove correct and British viewers can see live races in full for the first time since the BBC covered the sport in 1996.